Lock-on toilet seat hinge



3936. w. A. CARMICHAEL LOCK-QN TOILET SEAT HINGE Filed Nov. 12, 1931INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE toC. F. Church MI:- 00., C

hicopee, a

corporation of Massachusetts Application November 12, 1931, No. 534,58316 Claims. (01. 1-236).

This invention relates to hinges for pivotally mounting water closetseats on toilet bowls. Toilet bowls are usually made of porcelain andthe surfaces and dimensions thereof are somewhat irregular and subjectto minor variations. In clamping the'hinges to the porcelain bowls itcommonly happens that the spacing between the part of the hinge which isstationary and secured to the bowl and the part which swings with theseat is greater than is necessary for reasonable mechanical clearancewith the result that the assembled parts have an unsightly andunattractive appearance.

It is one of the objects of this invention to maintain the properrelative position between the stationary part of the hinge and themovable part thereof regardless of differences in dimensions encounteredin the porcelain of the bowl.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a simple, inexpensiveand rugged hinge device which may be readily installed and will noteasily get out of order. 'It is a further object of the invention toprovide such a device that can be assembled in the simplest mannerpossible and in the minimum time.

These and other objects of the invention will appear to those skilled inthe art to which it ap pertains by a consideration of the followingdescription of difierent embodiments thereof taken inv connection withthe accompanying drawing in which,

Fig, 1 is a plan view partly in section of a toilet seat and hinge,embodying one form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1, partly insection;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of a hinge post; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a modified form ofconstruction.

Referring to the drawinglmore in detail the reference character lldesignates a toilet bowl having arearwardly extending shelf throughwhich extend a pair of apertures l2. A toilet seat is shown at 13 andhas a rearwardly extending portion 14 with oppositely disposed lateraledges l5 and I6. Extending transversely between these edges a hole I!may be provided into which may be screwed, or molded therein inlaminated structures, or otherwise suitably secured, a rod or stem 18the outer ends of which are threaded for a purpose to be presentlydescribed. It may be desirable, particularly in case the stem is moldedin place, to provide it with annular or longitudinal corrugations formore firmly anchoring it. Such a. construction is shown in Fig. 4 inwhich stem 18a is provided with a plurality of ribs llb extendinglongitudinally of the, stem I10. and between which the. material usedfor cementing together the thin strips of wood may 5 enter as indicatedat 80. The strips of wood I80. are held together by the cementingmaterial as indicated at 18s It is obvious that if desired the stem [8may be in two parts and not extend from side to side. Each edge may bepro- 10 vided with a. hinge plate [9 having an aperture 20 therein 0! adiameter slightly larger than the stem 18. Surrounding the aperture 20,each plate is may be provided with a conical or beveled seat 2!.Extending laterally from each 15 plate I9 is a pin 22 adapted to fittightly in a hole 23 provided in the seat l3. The upper end of the platehas a laterally extending pintle 24 for plvotally supporting a. toiletseat cover. The method of supporting such seat cover is no part 20 ofthe present invention and no further description thereof is necessaryalthough a more complete description of a similar structure may be foundin the patent issued to Bert O, Tllden on Dec. 4, 1917. Number1,248,949. 25

A stud or nut is shown at 25 and is drilled and tapped for threading onthe stem l8. One end of the nut 25 is faced as at 28 to fit the seat 2|.The stud or nut 25 also has a circumferentially disposed or annulargroove 21. The nut is most 0 conveniently made in cylindrical form witha tapered or conical end portion as indicated at 4| and in such form maybe provided with flattened portions 28 to which a wrench may be applied.

Each hinge post 29 may comprise an upper body 35 member 30 having ahorizontal cylindrical socket 3| therein and a lower portion with athreaded aperture 22 for the reception of a stud bolt 33. Each stud boltpasses through one of the apertures 12 and is secured in position by awing nut 34, a 40 washer 25 usually being interposed between the nut 34and the bowl II. It is also common to provide cushion washers (not shownin the drawing) of rubber or other suitable material on the bolt 33 bothabove and below the bowl I I. A smaller 45 aperture 38 extends from thebottom of the aperture 32 into the socket 3|. Disposed in this apertureand suitably connected with the bolt 33 is a pin 31. The dimensions ofthe parts are such that when assembled the pin 31 enters into theannular groove 21 and while permitting rotative movement between the nut25 and the socket 3| effectually prevents movement between such parts ina direction axially of such pivotal mounting.

.As shown in Fig. 2 the lower end of the pin 31 not in the V thetaperedend' ll operation.

may be provided with a collar or shoulder 38 which is slidably mountedin an opening'39 provided in the end of the stud bolt 33. A compressionspring' lll disposed between the bottom of the opening 39 and. theshoulder 38 tends to force the pin 3'linto the groove 21 tends to yieldif the friction becomes excessive. The end oi the stud bolt 33 aroundthe opening 39 maybe swaged or spun over to close the opening partly andthus to provide a housing which serves to retain the pin 31 and thespring as in place when the parts are assembled In Fig. 3. amodification pin 31a is an integral part of a bolt 33a and the bers 30are in theira'ssembled positions with respect to thenuts 25, then thebolts 3301. are screwed" the rest of the way 'so that the pins 31a'rest'in" the annular grooves 21. Each-hinge post is' then resilientconnection therebetween is dispensed with. Otherwise the construction ofFig. 3 issimilar to that of Figs. 1 and 2.

In assembling the parts the seat and seat cover (if there is a seatcover) are united with the pirates i9 and secured in place by Ineans'ofthe nuts 25. The upper members 30 of ithe-hinge posts are then slippedover the nuts 25;" In the form or the invention shown in Fig.2 when thepin 31 reaches the'end of the nut. 25 the'tapered end thereof forces thepin back against the spring and permits the relative movement tocontinue until the pin snaps into the annular groove 21. In the form ofthe invention shown in Fig. 3, the stud bolts 33a are screwed onlypartway into the. threaded apertures 32 until after the 'members '30 areassembled with the 'nuts 25. When the mem securely held or lockedagainst longitudinal movement and the arrangement may *be appropriatelycharacterized as a lock-on toilet 'seat hinge. After this part of theassembly is' completedthe stud into the apertures I2 andtightened inplace by means of the wing nuts 34."

It should be notedthat the longitudinal posi-' tion. of the hingepost'2-9 along thenut 25 is debolts 'may be inserted 11. A hinge fora"waterfcloset'seat. comprising a member adapted tobe secured to a 'watercloset bowl and having a"cylin'dricalis'ocket. therein, a pintle adaptedto be secured a water closet seatextending into saidsocket and'having anannular groove therein; and a pin in said member 'extending radiallyinto said groove and resiliently held in "place whereby said pintleisfree to rotate but constrained against longitudinal movement, the endof said-pintle being tapered to permit assembling of said member andsaid pintle with the resiliently held pin'in place. 7

2. -A hinge postfor a water closetseat co'mpris ing a body portionadapted to be positioned on a water closet bowl, said body portionhaving a horizontal cylindrical socket therein for theireception of'abearing pintle extending' froin theseat and also having a vertical"threaded aperture. ex-

position. The purpose of' i to. facilitate"thegrassembling",

is shown wherein a V I said body. portion tending upward from the underside thereof for" V the reception of a threaded stud, saidbody portionalso having an apertureof smaller diameter than either said socket orsaidthreaded portion extending from the upper end of said verticalthreaded aperture upward to said horizontal aperture, and a threadedstud positioned in said vertical aperture and'having associatedtherewith a pin positioned in said smaller aperture and extending intosaid horizontal socket a distance substantially less than to the centerthereof.

'3. In a hinge fora water closet seat, a stationary elementfcomprising abody portion and a threaded stud screwed into said'body portion forholding said elementto a water closet bowl, said body portion having: ahorizontal cylindrical "socket; the upper surfaces of said body portionexcept for said socket being smooth and miinterrupted for the purpose ofreceiving a suitable finish, a bearing pintle secured to a water closetseat extending into saidsocket and'having an annular groove extendingcompletely around said pintle; and a locking pin associated withsaidstud and having its end extending into said groove. r

4. In a hinge for a water closet seat,.a'stationary element having ahorizontal cylindrical socket.

therein and a detachable stud for securing said element to a watercloset bowl, said stud having a .pin associated therewith extending intosaid" socket, and a pintle having an annular groove extending completeiyaround said pintle rigidly -s e-: cured to a' water closet seat andpositioned in said socket so that the end of said pin is within saidgroove whereby said stationary element and said sea't are prevented fromrelative-longitudinal movement in all angularpositions but may beseparated by unscrewing the stud from the sta-' tion'ary element. I

5; A'hinge post for a water ing' an upper body threaded tion, said upperportion having a horizontai cylindrical socket therein, and a lockingpin 'concen-' trically disposed with respect to'said stud and extendinginto said socket.

' 6. In combination, a water closet seat having a rearwardly' extendingportion, a rod extending closet seat compristransversely through saidportion and having a cylindrical bearing member attached to each end.thereof,.each of said members having an annular her; a hinge post foreach member having a horizontalcylindrical socket therein and a stud forsecuringsaid post to a water closet bowl; anda locking pinconcentrically positioned with respect to said stud and extendingintosaid groove.

' '7I'In 'a hinge post for a toilet seat; abody por- V 7 tion having ahorizontal cylindrical socket andalso having a. threaded apertureextending into said body portion from the underside thereof part waytoward saidsocket and having a smaller cylindrical'aperture extendingfrom the end of said threaded aperture to said socket, and a securingstud having a threaded portion extending V p and having a reduced L saidsmaller aperture into said threaded aperture end portion positioned in rp and extending a slightdistance into said socket.

- 8. "In a liinge'post for a toilet seat, a body portion having 'ahorizontalcylindrical socket and also having a threaded apertureextending into from the under side thereof part way toward said socketand having a smaller cylindrical aperture extending from the end ofportion anda securing stud' I into the lower portion of said body por-j50: groove extending completely around said mom- 7 said threadedapertureto said socket, and a securing'stud havinga threaded portionextending to said threaded aperture, and said stud also having a socketin the end thereof in which is positioned a spring pressed pin adaptedto be positioned in said smaller aperture and to have its end extendinto said horizontal socket.

9. In a device of the character described, a stationary supportingmember having an exposed horizontal upper surface and a semi-concealedhorizontal under surface, said member having a pair of spaced verticalapertures extending therethrough from the under surface to the uppersurface, a pair of hinge members positioned above said apertures andhaving horizontal bearing sockets facing each other, a movable memberpositioned between said hinge members and having pintles extending intosaid bearing sockets, each pintle having a circumferential groovetherein, and a threaded stud in each of said vertical apertures forsecuring the hinge members to the supporting member, each stud extendinginto the lower portion of the hinge members and having associatedtherewith a pin positioned in said groove for preventing longitudinalmovement between said hinge members and said movable member whilepermitting rotating movement therebetween.

10. In a hinge a supporting post having a horizontal bearing therein anda vertical threaded aperture extending upward part way toward thebearing and also having a smaller aperture extending from the end of thethreaded operture into the bearing, a pintle positioned in said bearingand having a circumferential groove therein, and a threaded stud forsecuring said post to a support, said stud being positioned in saidthreaded aperture and having a pin associated with the end thereofextending through said smaller aperture and into said groove.

11. In a device of the character described, a movable member, a pair ofhorizontal pintles extending from the lateral edges of said member inopposite directions, each of said pintles having a circumferentialgroove therein the side walls of which are substantially radial, a pairof hinge posts one for each pintle each having a horizontal sockettherein for the reception of its pintle, and a pin in each postextending into the groove in the pintle.

12. In a device of the character described, a movable member, a pair ofhorizontal pintles extending from the lateral edges of said member inopposite directions, each of said pintles having a circumferentialgroove therein having the same depth throughout, a pair of hinge postsone for each pintle each having a horizontal socket therein for thereception of its pintle, and a pin in each post extending into thegroove in the pintle.

13. In a hinge, a supporting post having a horizontal bearing thereinand a vertical threaded aperture extending upward part way toward thebearing and also having a smaller aperture extending from the end of thethreaded aperture into the bearing, a pintle positioned in said bearingand having a circumferential groove therein, a threaded stud forsecuring said post to a support positioned in said threaded aperture,and a spring pressed pin carried by the end of said stud and extendingthrough said smaller aperture and into said groove.

14. In a hinge, a supporting post having a horizontal bearing thereinand a vertical threaded aperture extending upward part way toward thebearing and also having a smaller aperture extending from the end of thethreaded aperture into the bearing, a pintle positioned in said bearingand having a circumferential groove therein, a threaded stud forsecuring said post to a support positioned in said threaded aperture,and a spring pressed pin carried by the end of said stud and extendingthrough said smaller aperture and into said groove, said pintle having atapered end whereby the insertion of the pintle into the bearing willforce the pin outwardly against its spring until the pintle has reacheda position where the pin is able to enter the groove and lock the pintleand post together against relative longitudinal movement.

15. A hinge for a water closet seat comprising a member adapted to besecured to a water closet bowl and having a cylindrical socket therein,a pintle adapted to be secured to a water closet seat extending intosaid socket and having a circumferential groove therein the side wallsof which are substantially radial, and a pin in said member extendinginto said groove and resiliently held in place whereby said pintle isfree to rotate into all angular positions but constrained againstlongitudinal movement in every position.

16. A hinge for a water closet seat comprising a member adapted to besecured to a water closet bowl and having a cylindrical socket therein,a pintle adapted to be secured to a water closet seat extending intosaid socket and having a circumferential groove therein the side wallsof which are substantially radial, and a pin in said member extendinginto said groove and resiliently held in place whereby said pintle isfree to rotate into all angular positions but constrained againstlongitudinal movement in every position, the end of said pintle beingtapered to permit assembling said member and said pintle with theresiliently held pin in place.

WILLIAM A. CARMICHAEL.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,032,257., February 25, 19?;

WILLIAM A. CARMICHAEL.

It is hereby certified that error apears in the printed specification ofthe above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1 firstcolumn, lines 59 and 40, strike out the Words and period "Fig, 4 is anenlarged fragmentary section of a modified form of construction. andsecond column, beginning with the word "Such" in line 1, strike all toand including the reference numeral "18c" in line 8, same column; andthat the said Letters Patent should be read with these correctionstherein that the same may conform to the record of the case in thePatent Office Signed and sealed this 25th day of August, A. D. 1956.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents

